On Fri, 2 Jan 2004 09:19:28 -0800, in message

"Steve" wrote:

A burgee on a pigstick evolved back in the days of gaff rigs when there were
seldom spreaders. By having the burgee flown from the pig stick, at the
'truck' (mast head), the race officials, spectators and other skippers could
see the burgee at all times.

It also served as a wind indicator in the undisturbed air at the
masthead in the days before the windex, let alone electronic wind
instruments. Nowadays having both up there at the same time would be a
little redundant ;-)

Ryk